Coupler for excavating machines and the like having fixed and moveable jaws

Abstract

A coupler for coupling an implement having a pair of spaced connecting pins to a handle and a pivot link of a groundworking machine.

I claim: 
     
       1. A coupler for detachably securing an implement having a pair of spaced connecting pins to the handle and pivot link of a groundworking or material handling machine comprising: a base plate member;   first means mounted on an upper side of said base plate member for pivotally connecting said base plate member to said handle;   second means mounted on the upper side of said base plate member for pivotally connecting said base plate member to said pivot link;   at least one fixed jaw member rigidly secured to an underside of said base plate member, having a recess opening in a first direction which may be positioned to receive one of said connecting pins of said implement upon maneuvering said handle of said machine;   at least one movable jaw member pivotally supported on the underside of said base plate member, having a recess, movable between a closed position wherein the other of said connecting pins of said implement is caused to be received in the recess thereof and said recess opens in a direction aligned with and opposite to said first direction, for attaching said implement to said handle, and an open position wherein the other connecting pin is not caused to be received in the recess thereof, said recess of said movable jaw member having a surface engageable with said other connecting pin and operable to cam said movable jaw member from said open position to said closed position when said one connecting pin is received within the recess of said fixed jaw member, said movable jaw member is disposed in the open position and said pivot link is extended to cause said base plate member to pivot about the axis of said one connecting pin disposed in said recess of said fixed jaw member, toward said other connecting pin and;   retaining means disposed on the underside of said base plate member and operatively engageable with said movable jaw member when in said closed position for retaining said movable jaw member in said closed position;   wherein said retaining means includes a member selectively extendible into a pivotal swing path of said movable jaw member when said movable jaw member is in the closed position, precluding its pivotal movement out of the closed position.   
     
     
       2. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein said means for pivotally connecting said base plate member to said handle and said pivot link comprises a set of connecting pins. 
     
     
       3. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein said means for pivotally connecting said base plate member to said handle and pivot link includes a pair of laterally spaced, longitudinally disposed bracket members having two sets of aligned openings for receiving a set of connecting pins therein. 
     
     
       4. A coupler according to claim 1 including a pair of laterally spaced, fixed jaw members having transversely aligned, connecting pin receiving recesses. 
     
     
       5. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein said movable jaw member is pivotally connected to said fixed jaw member. 
     
     
       6. A coupler according to claim 4 including a pair of laterally spaced movable jaw members having transversely aligned, connecting pin receiving recesses. 
     
     
       7. A coupler according to claim 6 wherein said movable jaw members are disposed laterally inwardly relative to said fixed jaw members and are pivotally connected thereto. 
     
     
       8. A coupler according to claim 1 including means for biasing said selectively extendible member in the extended position. 
     
     
       9. A coupler according to claim 8 wherein said biasing means comprises at least one spring anchored on said base plate member and operatively connected to said selectively extendible member. 
     
     
       10. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a fluid actuated cylinder assembly, and said selectively extendible member is mounted on a rod member thereof. 
     
     
       11. A coupler according to claim 10 including means for biasing said selectively extendible member in the extended position. 
     
     
       12. A coupler according to claim 11 wherein said biasing means comprises at least one spring anchored on said base plate member and operatively connected to said selectively extendible member. 
     
     
       13. A coupler according to claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a fluid actuated cylinder assembly provided with an extendible rod member having a wedge member disposed on the end thereof, and said movable jaw member includes an opening registrable with said wedge member when said movable jaw member is in the closed position for receiving said wedge member therein when said rod member is disposed in an extended position. 
     
     
       14. A coupler according to claim 13 including means for biasing said wedge member in the extended position. 
     
     
       15. A coupler according to 14 wherein said biasing means comprises at least one spring anchored on said base plate member and operatively connected to said wedge member. 
     
     
       16. A coupler according to claim 13 including means supported on said base plate member providing at least one bearing surface engageable by said wedge member for restraining said movable jaw member from pivoting out of said closed position when said movable jaw member is in the closed position, said rod member is extended and said wedge member is received in said opening of said movable jaw member. 
     
     
       17. A coupler according to claim 13 wherein said base plate member includes a pair of longitudinally spaced, depending wall members provided with a pair of openings aligned with said rod member for receiving said wedge member therein when said rod member is in an extended position, and said movable jaw member is provided with a lug receivable between said depending wall members, having an opening registrable with said openings in said depending wall members for receiving said wedge member therethrough when said movable jaw member is in the closed position and said rod member is in the extended position. 
     
     
       18. A coupler according to claim 17 including means for biasing said wedge member in an extended position within said registered openings. 
     
     
       19. A coupler according to claim 18 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring anchored on said base plate member and operatively connected to said wedge member. 
     
     
       20. A coupler according to claim 17 wherein said lug opening is provided with a converging cross-sectional configuration and said wedge element also is provided with a converging cross-sectional configuration. 
     
     
       21. A coupler according to claim 17 wherein said depending wall openings provide bearing surfaces of sufficient area engaged by said wedge member for sufficiently transmitting loads between said handle and said implement upon imposing various loads on said implement in the use thereof for performing selected work functions.